1863 Letter- Escort Duty of the Remains of Gen. George W. Collamore of Kansas – Quantrill’s Raid Related

1863 Letter (Special Order No. 535), dated Boston, Sept. 2nd, 1863, ordering LtCol. C.C. Holmes, commanding Corps of Cadets to perform escort duty of the remains of the late Gen. George W. Collamore of Kansas.  By order of the Governor Andrews of Mass. and signed for the Adjutant General William Schouler. by the division inspector, W.C. Brooks?

George Washington Collamore (1818 – 1863), was once a law partner with Mass Governor John A. Andrews till 1856 when Collamore moved to Kansas and became the agent for New England Kansas Relief Committee. During the Civil War, He was commissioned a brigadier general, and quartermaster for the State of Kansas. In March of 1862, Collamore was elected major of Lawrence, Kansas, and was home when William Clarke Quantrill made his infamous raid on Lawrence  on August 21, 1863.  Once his house was surrounded, and soon set on fire, Collamore having no other place to hide, went into the well which was so close to the house, that when the flames engulfed the house, they spread over the well, sucking all the oxogen out of the air resulting in Collamore’s death. (see the story in the photo section here). His remains were returned to Boston, where a “solemn and Impressive service was held.”

Included with this document, is a period carte de visite of Christopher C. Holmes in civilian clothing, taken by BLACK, Boston. The image has some blotchiness, otherwise very good. Also a printed pass of the Encampment of the Independent Corps of Cadets at Nahant, Mass. in Sept of 1865. Made out to Capt. Crowningshield, and signed by C.C. Holmes.  I have also included some copied info on both Collamore and Holmes.

A great document with association relating to a most notorious raid during the Civil War- Quantrill’s Raid of Lawrence, Kansas.